After slow start, Falter punches back vs. Boston
FORT MYERS, Fla. — After his first three appearances of spring training, including one start, it probably would’ve been easy to discount Bailey Falter and his chances of making the Pirates’ opening day roster.
What he did Monday perhaps changed that perception.
Falter looked like a completely different pitcher. Although the Pirates suffered a 1-0 loss to the Red Sox at JetBlue Park, the 26-year-old lefty was the most encouraging story for the visitors. He worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four.
It’s the type of outing Falter, acquired last season from the Phillies for Rodolfo Castro, has been waiting to have after working this offseason to rework his delivery and make it more efficient.
“I’ve been trying to go after guys since the first pitch,” Falter said. “I’ve been working in my bullpens, especially the last 10 to 15 throws. I’ve been having some guys stand in there, visualizing that’s the first hitter of the game and taking that out on the field.”
It’s noticeable how much better Falter fares when he gets ahead and doesn’t nibble.
Falter commanded his fastball well against Boston and leaned on his curveball during key times as well. In the third inning, Falter worked a sequence to left fielder Dalton Guthrie that ended with a fastball for a called strike three, the backwards pitching that seems to help Falter.
“The fastball’s my best pitch, although the stuff I throw is to get you off the fastball,” Falter said. “Basically with my fourseamer and a little twoseamer that dives, separating the fastballs, I think it’s been going really well for me so far.”
The competition for those fourth and fifth spots might not be any closer to clearing up. Roansy Contreras will start Wednesday in Dunedin, Fla. He has been in the mix — and solid when he has executed his curveball and changeup. Like Falter, Contreras is out of options.
Jared Jones, Quinn Priester and Luis Ortiz are also in the discussion, along with Falter and nonroster veterans such as Eric Lauer and Chase Anderson. There’s plenty to sort out over the final two-plus weeks; however, if Monday’s start did anything, it kept Falter in the fight.
“Getting ahead of guys is the big thing for me,” Falter said, referencing one of the things he did so well against the Red Sox. “When I walk guys, bad things tend to happen. I like to get you 0-2 and maybe mess around with you a little bit … and hopefully get you out of there.”
At the plate
The Pirates ( 6- 10- 1) struggled to put together much of a rally. They finished with five hits, all singles and none in the same frame.
One story probably worth highlighting at this point is that of Billy McKinney, who entered Monday’s game hitting .353 (6 for 17) with a double, three RBIs and seven walks.
McKinney is the definition of an MLB journeyman, playing for a halfdozen teams in as many seasons.
He’s also a long shot to make the major league roster. But this spring, he has been consistently productive, extending his on-base streak to 11 games with a third-inning single. Nobody throughout MLB has a longer one.
“Just trying to see good pitches and have quality at-bats,” McKinney said. “My goal is to keep the line moving every time. See as many pitches as I can and try to hit the ball hard.”
On the mound
Backing Falter was Brent Honeywell Jr., who looked the best he has this spring. Honeywell struck out second baseman Eddy Alvarez in the fourth inning, stranding a pair of Red Sox runners. He returned in the fifth, experiencing more success.
Leaning on some nasty breaking stuff that darted to both sides of the plate — his signature screwball, as well as a slider — the righty has done well to get hitters off his 95 mph heater.
Honeywell, who has battled several injuries, broke through and did well with the Padres last year up until the trade deadline. It’s easy to see why. He has the stuff. It’s a matter of consistently commanding it and staying healthy.
Jose Hernandez also looked really good in his inning of work. The former Rule 5 pick has allowed just one run in his first five games of the spring, striking out eight in five innings.
In the field
Canaan Smith-Njigba has been swinging a hot bat, going deep in two straight games and three of his past four prior to Monday. But against the Red Sox, his best play came with the glove. In the fourth inning, SmithNjigba robbed center fielder Jarren Duran with a diving catch on a sinking liner.
Not necessarily on the field but on the bases, Henry Davis reached on an error in the top half of the fourth, busting it down the line and taking advantage when Red Sox shortstop Nick Sogard made an error.
Up next
Chase Anderson will make his first start of the spring on Tuesday back home at LECOM Park against the Braves. ... After the game, Braxton Ashcraft was optioned to minor league camp.